As part of Enable’s 70th Anniversary celebrations, the first ever Europe in Action Conference took place in Scotland, in partnership with Inclusion Europe.
The three-day conference welcomed organisations from 39 European countries to The University of Strathclyde's Technology and Innovation Centre (TIC) between Tuesday 7 and Thursday 9 May.
The programme of events included plenaries, workshops, and an evening reception to celebrate Enable’s 70th anniversary, held at Glasgow's iconic Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.
Attendees were invited to share learning and discuss pioneering approaches to improve inclusion for 20 million disabled people throughout Europe. The networking opportunities gave guests the chance to connect with advocates and key influencers across public, private and social sectors.
Supporting more disabled people into employment sport
Working together with Enable, sportscotland held a workshop focused on supporting more disabled people into employment in sport and removing barriers to ensure that people feel more included.
The interactive session identified ways of diversifying your workforce, recruiting more young people in jobs, and supporting employers. This approach is being led by Enable and supported by sportscotland local authority and national partners.
Celebrating the contribution of sport
A highlight of the workshop was the insight into the Modern Apprenticeship (MA) programme - a partnership between Enable Works, sportscotland and employers.
The MA programme supports people with a disability into employment providing them with skills, knowledge, confidence, college experience and a work placement.
Charlotte Holder, Enable Work’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Consultant said: “Every modern apprentice has opportunity for support from their employer or Glasgow City college to ensure that they are progressing in their course. We provide extra targeted support for individuals who have experienced barriers throughout education or employment creating opportunities for them to develop transferable skills”.
Stepping up and breaking barriers
In the ‘Learning Lounge’ Q&A session, the modern apprentices shared their experiences of working with Basketball Scotland, Scottish Rowing, Paddle Scotland, Badminton Scotland, Scottish Disability Sport, Scottish Sport Futures and South Ayrshire Council.
Charlie, South Ayrshire Council apprentice, said:
“Since starting the apprenticeship my confidence has grown massively. I have seen a difference in myself and feel more confident to solve problems on my own and lead others. The apprenticeship has also given me knowledge that I am capable of things that I didn’t previously see myself doing.”
Katie Oman, Partnership Manager sportscotland said: “The sports sector makes a really positive contribution to Active Scotland but we want to do more and learn more and the modern apprenticeship is one of these programmes that we are trying to learn from. We really want to be involved in other sectors, like health, education, transport and the environment. We want everyone to benefit from sport.”
About Enable
Enable is a charity that supports people, employers, and communities across the country. They believe in an equal society where everyone has the right to live, work and participate as active and respected citizens in the communities of their choice. Enable was founded in 1954 by five families of children who had a learning disability.
